Country music icon suffers heart attack, cancels performances

Ray Stevens is recovering from heart surgery after he suffered what is being described as a “mild heart attack” on Friday.

Taste of Country reports the country music legend was admitted to a Nashville hospital after he began experiencing chest pain. He underwent a heart catheterization procedure, citing a statement from his publicity team, that confirmed that he’d had a heart attack.

As a result, Stevens, a member of the Grand Ole Opry, canceled all scheduled performances through July.

Stevens, 86, known for “The Streak,” won a Grammy for “Everything Is Beautiful” in 1971.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

In May, Stevens announced new live dates in 2025 at CabaRay Showroom where he was to perform songs from his newest album, “Say Whut?,” along with selections from over his career.

“It will be an all-new show with new songs and new stories,” the “Everything Is Beautiful” singer said at the time. “But don’t worry, I’ll still be bringing along Ethel, Margaret, Gitarzan, the squirrel and other favorites.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

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